Germany Restricts Borders

Germany Imposes Emergency Border Restrictions Amid Refugee Crisis

After weeks of setting an example to the rest of Europe of how to welcome refugees with open arms, Germany has announced it will impose stricter security at its borders. According to The New York Times, Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière said on Sunday that the country is taking emergency measures to "limit the flow to Germany and to reinstate an orderly entry process" at its southern border with Austria. Trains coming to Germany from Austria have been stopped in Salzburg and refugees are being taken to a nearby garage.

In just the past week, 50,000 refugees crossed into Germany, Reuters reports. TheTimes states that 12,000 arrived in Munich on Saturday alone. The measure would reportedly allow officials to turn away migrants who are not refugees from war-torn countries. Maizière also said Germany has called for waiting areas to be set up around Europe's borders where refugees would be assigned to countries willing to accept them. Right now, the majority are heading for Germany because of the country's economic prosperity — as well as the fact that its officials have encouraged refugees to come.

By temporarily restricting this flow, Germany is clearly asking the 27 other countries in the European Union to step up and do their part in this humanitarian crisis.

"Europe’s idleness in the migrant crisis is starting to push Germany close to its limits," German Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel told Der Tagesspiegel, according to Reuters.

Many who took to the streets in London on Saturday say they're ready to accept more refugees in their country. On Monday, European ministers are expected to meet in Brussels to discuss several proposals on how to distribute refugees more evenly.